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Health Care Advocates Gather in St. John's to ask for leadership

St. John's, NL, July 15, 2015/CNW Telbec/ - Canada's Premiers are in St. John's this week for their annual summer meeting. Health care advocates from across the country are also gathering to send a clear message to Premiers and to the Prime Minister – our public health care requires leadership.

Our public health care system is dependent on the leadership of our federal government to ensure stable funding and universal quality care for everyone. The current federal government has consistently neglected its leadership role and has promised $36B in cuts. It is clear that Canadians want federal leadership to protect health care but also to expand it to include a National Strategy for Seniors and a National Drug Plan. Health care advocates in St. John's are calling the Premiers to join the call for federal reinvestment in public health care.

The Canadian Health Coalition has been working closely with the Health Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador to organize two important events in the city during the Council of the Federation.

EVENTS:

A public town hall will be held on Wednesday July 15 at 7pm at St. Thomas' Church on the risks of privatized health care and why we must take a stand for all seniors. Guest speakers will include Canadian Labour Congress's President Hassan Youssuff, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Linda Silas and Mary Clark, Chair of the Health Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador.

On Thursday July 16 at noon, a rally will depart from the band stand at Banneman Park.

QUOTES:

"Our current Federal Government does not take its role in public health care provision seriously. It is certainly time for the Premiers to join our insistence that Canada needs a Federal Government that will reinvest in our nation's health care " says Melissa Newitt, Interim National Coordinator of the Canadian Health Coalition.

"The lack of adequate Federal funding for health care is contributing to the strain on services here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our Premier is even trying to privatize long-term care for seniors - we won't accept this in Newfoundland and Labrador and we stand with everyone across this country calling for a National Strategy for Seniors Care," says Mary Clarke, Chair of the Health Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canadian Health Coalition is a public advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Medicare. Our membership is comprised of national organizations representing nurses, health care workers, seniors, churches, anti-poverty groups, women, students and trade unions, as well as affiliated coalitions in 9 provinces and 2 territories.

SOURCE Canadian Health Coalition

For further information: or to arrange an interview, contact: Mary Clarke: 709-687-1960; Melissa Newitt: 613-265-4550 or mnewitt@healthcoalition.ca